Sheepshead fishing in Florida

Sheepshead are the black-and-white striped convict fish that graze barnacles, crabs and oysters off every bridge piling, pier, dock, seawall and jetty rock in Florida. They are around all year but the cooler months are prime, peaking in late winter and early spring when big fish gather around jetties, bridges and nearshore structure to spawn. They bite in daylight, and any tide with a bit of flow along the pilings works; many anglers like the lower stages when they can reach the barnacle line. The bite is a light tap, so fish straight down tight to the structure on a short knocker or split-shot rig with a small, strong 1/0 hook, 15–20 lb fluorocarbon and just enough weight to hold, and set the hook at the first tick. Fiddler crabs, shrimp and sand fleas are the top baits. Use gloves: the dorsal spines are sharp, and those human-like teeth can nip. Superb eating; check current FWC rules before keeping one.